PSL X: Farhan, Hales power Islamabad to set massive target for Karachi

Islamabad United's Sahibzada Farhan (left) and Alex Hales fist-bumping during the PSL 10 match against Karachi Kings at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 19, 2025. — PCB

After put into bat first, Islamabad United set a massive target of 252 runs for Karachi Kings in the 30th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 being played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Kings captain David Warner’s decision to bowl first backfired as the hosts notched up 251/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

The United got off to a flamboyant start to their innings as their new opening pair of Alex Hales and Sahibzada Farhan ran riot, putting together 153 runs, the joint-highest partnership by the team in the league’s history.

The record-equalling stand eventually concluded in the 12th over when Farhan tried to scoop the ball over fine leg but ended up spooning a straightforward catch to Abbas Afridi off Mir Hamza.

Farhan smashed a dozen boundaries, including three sixes, on his way to a 41-ball 73, his third fifty-plus score in PSL 10.

The home side then lost two more wickets in quick succession as Rassie van der Dussen and Salman Ali Agha walked back after mustering one and seven, respectively.

The back-to-back wickets reduced United to 172/3 in 14.1 overs.

Skipper Shadab Khan then joined set-batter Hales in the middle, and the duo could add 27 runs to the total until Khushdil Shah gave Kings a much-needed success by dismissing Hales.

Hales remained the top-scorer for the United with a sensational 88 off just 35 deliveries, studded with six fours and eight sixes.

Following his departure, skipper Shadab took the reins of United’s batting charge and played a blistering 42-run cameo before getting run out on the second delivery of the final over.

He was also involved in a crucial 38-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Haider Ali, who made an unbeaten 19 off nine deliveries with the help of one four and a six.

For Kings, Aamir Jamal, Khushdil Shah and Mir Hamza picked up one wicket apiece.

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